Woodson, Shields return to practice Wednesday

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GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Packers’ secondary is returning to health. Both Charles Woodson and Sam Shields returned to practice yesterday.

Woodson took limited snaps in his first practice since breaking his collarbone against Saint Louis October 21st. Coach Mike McCarthy said it was good to see the All-Pro Woodson back on the field. But he’s not sure if he’ll take part in today’s more extensive practice in full pads. And McCarthy could not say if Woodson would be healthy enough to return for Sunday night’s home game against Detroit.

It’s possible that Woodson’s return would wait until the December 16th game at Chicago, which is expected to be for the NFC North Division title. Meanwhile, Shields practiced yesterday for the first time since November 16th. He suffered a high ankle sprain in mid-October at Houston and tried to return too early. Shields says he’s 100-percent now. McCarthy said he did not know the possible playing status of the injured Jordy Nelson, Clay Matthews, and T.J. Lang. Defensive lineman Mike Neal also missed yesterday’s practice with a shoulder injury, and McCarthy said it might be serious – but he won’t know until today. Also, the coach said running back Ryan Grant had a good practice in his return to the Packers. He was signed yesterday to replace James Starks, who may be out for the year with a knee injury.

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Tramon Williams has become the fourth Packer in four weeks to be fined for rough hits. The veteran corner said on the “Inside Lambeau” TV show that he was fined 21-thousand dollars for helmet-to-helmet contact with Minnesota’s Toby Gerhart. It happened at the end of an overthrown pass play last Sunday – and the Packers were penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness. Williams said after the game he thought it was a clean hit, and he did not think he should be penalized. Safety Jerron McMillian, linebacker Brad Jones, and tight end Ryan Taylor were also fined over the past three weeks for their rough hits.

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The Packers have signed two new players to their practice squad – offensive guard-and-tackle Shea Allard, and safety Chaz Powell. Both are undrafted rookies. Allard was with the Packers throughout this summer’s training camp, but he was cut just before the start of the regular season. Powell was in the Oakland Raiders’ camp before he was cut in late August. Powell is also a kick returner. He set a school record at Penn State with 1,886 career yards on kickoff returns.

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